Internal-combustion rotary engine.



- j? l A J/QMMM@ W. G. MAGOMBBR. INTERNAL GOMBUSTION ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED sBPT. z. 190s.

933,3 1 6. Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. W. G. MAGOMBER.

INTERNAL ooMRUsTloN ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2, 1908.

933,31 6. Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Eik'

UNITED 'sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

WALTER GMACQMBEB, F JOHANNESBURG, CALIFORNIA.

To all whom 'it 11m/y concern:

Be it known 'that I, WALTER G. MACOMBER,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Johannesburg, county of Kern and State of Californian., have invented a new and useful Internal- Combustion Rotary Engine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a rotary engine in which a plurality of cylinders, each having a reeiprocatin piston, are caused to rotate bodily in a p ane at right angles to the direction of piston movement. The power from the pistons is applied t0 a rotating element which is adapted to rotate in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation of the cylinders. This engine is of a type shown in a previous patent of mine, #893,181, July 14, 1908.

The present engine differs from the former in that the present engine is an internal cornbustionA engine, and one of the main objects of the present invention is to adjust the plane of rotation of the rotar element above referred to, to various ang es and thereby regulate the length of stroke of the pistons. This will enable the compression in the cylinders to be varied. For example, if a high power is required the stroke may be adjusted to give a high compression. If a low power is required, or if'the engine is running idle, then a very short stroke or low compression, which is advisable under such conditions, may be obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide for thorough lubrication of all moving parts.

Another object is to provide for cooling the cylinders by air.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is an end elevation of the engine, showing the engine so adjusted that there is no stroke.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the engine. Fig. 3 is a section on line ac3-" Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken longitudinally through the engine on line t--f/c* Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an elevation showing the opposite end from that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a cross section on line :r6- Fig. 7. Fic. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section on line e7- m7 Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 7, showingA the engine adjusted for maximum stroke. v`

1`designates the frame of the engine having at the rear or intake end a stationary plate 2'.

3 is a ring located at the intermediate part Specification ot Letters Patent. Application filed September 2, 1908. Serial No, 451,892.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ROTARY ENGINE.

of the frame, and the ring 3 and disk 2 supi port ashell 4, which as clearly shown 1n Fig. 2 1s cut out at the top as at 5, forming an opening through which the exhaust gases together with thecooling air pass to the atmosphere, as will be explained.` The ring 3 is formed with two ears 6 to which the lyoke 7 is pivoted by means of screws 8, As clearly shown in Fig. 5, a link 9 is pivoted to the yoke 7 and connects with two arms 10, as

shown in Fig. 7, which roject from a shaft l1 mounted in a journal) bearing 12 formed on the frame. A hand lever 13 1s secured to the shaft 11 and has a latch mechanism 14 which coacts with a notched sector 15 to hold the hand lever in the position set. By operating the hand lever 13 the yoke 7 may be adjusted into various positions.

The oke 7 has an inserted bushing 16I which orms a journal bearing for a driven shaft 16. Secured to the rear end of the shaft 16 is a disk 17 which I term a stroke plate as its angular position determines the stroke of the plstons. 'The stroke plate 17 has a central rearwardly extending slotted boss 18, which is pivoted by means of ball bearings 19 to a cross-pin 20, which cross-pin extends through a swivel bar 21. being journaled at each end by ball bearings 22 to a flange 28 which forms a part of and projects from a cylinder carrier 24.

Patented sept. 7, 1909.

The latter rlhe cylinder carrier 24 is provided at its forward end with a bowl-shaped guard 25 which extends partially over the stroke plate 17 and incloses the crank chamber, which chamber is formed by the fia-nge 23, end of the cylinder carrier 24, and stroke plate 17, the purpose of the guard 25 being to retain oil in the crankchalnber. rll`he oil is thrown to the outer portion of the crank chamber by centrifugal force when the engine is in motion, and is caused by the movement of the stroke plate 17 to splash over all the parts inclosed in the crank chamber. The stroke plate has a wabble motion as it operates which causes this action. lln order to protect the bearings 22 of the swivel bar 21,.

ter of the cylinder carrier, and is rotatively n'iounted in a journal bearing 28 formed on the rear stationary plate 2. The `cylmdcr carrier 24 is formedin the present embodiment with -tive cylinders 29, all of which are- Each connecting rod 31 has a ball joint con` nection at both its ends so that universal movement is permitted between each connecting rod, piston, and Apost 32. The shaft 27 has a central oil hole 33 which has branches 34 leading to the respective cylinders 29 for lubricating them. An annular chamber 35 is formed around the oil passage 33, the chamber 35 constituting a gas intake chamber, to which fuel is admitted through an inlet 36.

Passages 37 lead from the gas chamber 35 to the respective cylinders 29, as clearly shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. In the head of each cylinder is an inlet valve 38, and an exhaus't valve 39, which valves are closed by springs 40'. The valves are opened at the proper time by means of levers 41 pivoted at 42, the respective levers being operated by a cam 43 arranged ona sleeve 44lwhich has a pinion 45 meshing with a gear 46 j ournaled on a pin 47. Fixed with the gear 46 is another gear 48 which meshes with a pinion 49 secured to the shaft 27.- The gears are so proportioned and the cam is so designed that the inlet and exhaust valves are properly operated as the shaft 27 rotates. Each exhaust valve 39 discharges through the passage 50 directly to the atmosphere, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the exhaust gases passing from the shell 4 out through the opening 5. An air p`pe 51 is secured to the cylinder carrier 24 and rotates therewith.

52 is a partition fastened to with the cylinders, being located at the front end of the pipe 51.

53 isa large pipe surrounding the pipe 51 and secured to the stationary plate 2 which latter has openings opposite the pipe 53 as shown in Fig. 1.

When the engine is in motion and the exhaust gases are leaving the cylinders a current of air is caused to flow through the outer part of pipe 53, thence against the cylinder heads and then out through the opening 5.

The rotating valve stems also tend to cause the, air to flow outwardly over the cylinder heads. The partition 52 compels a portion of the air entering throughpipe 53 to be sucked by the rotation of the cylinders, through pipe 51 and thence outwardly around the cylinders. The air is thrown centrifually outward by the rotating cylinders an is forced into contact with the entire outer surface of each cylinder before it escapes through the opening 5, and thus the and revolving.

. ders thereon, pistons in cylinders are kept sufiiciently cool Without the usev of water.

' By throwing the hand lever 13 into the position substantially as shown in Fig. 2, the stroke plate 17 is adjusted to an angle with the cylinder carrierfso that, as the pistons reciprocate, they to the stroke plate, and the latter drives the shaft 16. As the stroke plate 17 is thus caused to rotate it rotates the swivel bar 21 bodily, and the latter rotates' the cylinder carrier 24 so that the respective cylinders rotate synchronously with and are always substantially in line with their respective posts 32.v The swivel bar 21 is adapted `to rotate axially in its bearings 22 the necessary amount required, which is necessitated by the angularity of its bodily plane of rotation to the plane of rotation of shaft 16. The cross-pin 21 also permits the necessary swinging action of the stroke plate 17 with respect to the fixed plane of rotation of the swivel bar 21. This construction affords a universal joint which insures that all parts will revolve iii perfect unison.

By adjusting the stroke plate 17 into a position near to right angles with the line of the piston travel, the len t-h of stroke of the pistons will be shortene on account of the reduced amount of wabble action of the stroke plate. This will produce less compression. If the stroke plate 17 be adjusted at right angles to the line of piston travel lthen the pistons will have no stroke and the engine must stop. By adjusting the stroke plate 17 so that a very short stroke is peimitted, starting or cranking of the engine is greatly facilitated on account of the extremely low compression. Another advantage of this adjustment is that it isa very easy mat-ter to start the machine without cranking. For example, after the engine has stopped, place the hand lever in neutral position which will reduce the pressure of gas to nearly atmospheric pressure so that leakage past the piston isminimized. Then the engine may be started by throwing the lever 13 to the high compression point and by producing the spark in the cylinder so that the gas therein will be exploded and operate the pistons.

What I claim is 1. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate bodily transversely to their bores, reciprocating pistons in the cylinders, a rotating element connected with the pistons and rotating ina plane at an angle to the plane of rotation of the cylinders, a shaft supporting said rotating element, and means for adjusting the shaft to vary the plane of rotation of said element.

2. A rotary machine comprising a rotatable cylinder carrier, a plurality of cylinimpart a rotating motion the cylinders having a trailcl at right angles to the plane of rotation of the cylinders, a cross bar connected to the e linder carrier and rotatin bodily therewiti and being mounted to have an axial motion with respect to the cylinder currier, a stroke .plate mounted to rotate in a plane parallel with or angular to the plane `of rotation of the cylinders, said pistons being connected with said stroke plate, and

means forming-a pivotal connection between said stroke plate and said cross bar.

3. A rotary machine `comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate 1n a plane at right angles to their bores, reciprocating pistons in the cylinders, a. rotating device connected with the pistons, a shaft supporting said rotating device, and means for tilting said shaft to cause said device to assume a plane arallelv with the plane of rotation of the cy inders or to be adjusted to various angles with respect to the plane of rotation of the cylinders. .y

4. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted4 to rotate in a plane at right angles to their bores, reciprocating pistons in the' cylinders, a rotating device connected with the pistons and adapted to assume a plane parallel with the plane of rotation of the cylinders or to be adjusted to various angles with respect to the plane of rotation of the cylinders, a frame in which said cylinders rotate, a yoke pivoted to said frame, a shaft journaled in said yoke and supporting said rotating device, and means for tilting said yoke to vary the plane of rotation of said rotating device.

5. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders adapted to rotate in a plane transversely to their bores, reciprocating pistons in the cylinders, a frame 1n Which said cylinders rotate, a yoke pivoted, to said frame, a shaft mounted in said yoke, a stroke plate secured to said shaft, t e respective pistons being 'connected to the stroke plate at substantially equal distances apart, an adjusting shaft, an arm thereon, a link connecting said arm -with said yoke, a hand lever on said adjusting shaft, and latch mechanism for retaining said hand lever in various positions.

6. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate in a plane transversely of their bores, pistons in the cylinders, a cross bar swiveled to said rotating cylinders and extendiiw diametrically across the axis of rotation ot the cylinders, a cross pin intersecting the longitudinal axis of said cross bar and also intersecting the axis of rotation of the cylinders, a stroke plate connected to said, cross pin and connected with the respective pistons, and means for adjusting the stroke plate in an arc of which said cross pin is the center.

7. A rotary machine comprising a cylinder carrier, cylinders formed thereon, a'

4transversely of their bores,

having an annulargas inlet chamber formed around the oil hole with passages leading from the gas inlet chamber to the respective cylinders, and gas outlet passages leading from the respectiveicylinders in a general direction away from the center of rotation of the cylinders.

8. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate in a plane reciprocating pistons inthe cylinders, a -cylinder carrier supporting said cylindersand having a flange extending beyond the cylinders, a stroke plate mounted to rotate in various positions angularly to the line of travel to said pistons, said stroke plate having a convex face concentric with the axis of rotation and adjustment of said .stroke plate, and a guard extending from said liangel and meeting the convex surface of the stroke plate.

9. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate in a plane transverselyl of their bores, reciprocating pistons in the cylinders, a cylinder carrier supporting said cylinders and having a flange extending beyond the cylinders, a stroke plate mounted to rotate in various positions'angularly to the line of travel to said pistons, said stroke plate having a convex face concentric with the axis of rotation vand adjustment of said stroke plate, a guard extending .from said flange and meeting the convex surface of the stroke plate, a cross bar swiveled in said flange, and a cross pin connecting said cross bar and said stroke plate.

l0. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate in a plane transversely of their bores, reciprocating pistons in the cylinders, a cylinder carrier supporting said cylinders and having a flange extending beyond the cylinders, a stroke plate mounted to rotate in various positions angularly to the line of travel to said pistons, said stroke plate having a convex face concentric With the axis of rotation and adjustment oisaid stroke plate, a guard extending from said flange and meeting the convex surface of the stroke plate, a cross bar svviveled with ball bearings in said flange, a cross pin connecting said cross bar and said stroke plate, and caps on said flange covering said ball bearings.

11. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate in a plane transversely of their bores, .recipcrocat-ing pistons Ain the cylinders, a cylinderA carrier support-ing said cylinders and having 'a flange exten ing beyond the cyllnders, a

stroke plat mounted to rotate in various positions angularly to the line of travel of said pistons, said stroke vplate having a convex face concentric with the axis of rotation and adjustment of' said stroke plate, a guard extending from said Vflange land meeting the 12. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate in 'a plane transversely of their bores, reciprocating pistons in the cylinders,` a cylinder carrier .supporting said cylinders and having a' flange extendingl beyond the cylinders, a stroke plate mounted to rotate in various positions angularly to the line of travel of said pistons, said stroke plate having a convex face concentric with the axis of rotation and adjustment of said stroke plate, a guard extending from said: llange and meeting the convex surface of the stroke plate, a cross bar swiveled with ball bearings in said ilange, a cross pin connecting said cross bar and said stroke plate, and caps on said flange covering said ball bearings, said guard and said flange forming an inclose'd crank chamber which communicates with said cylinders, the connection between said pistons and said stroke plate comprising connecting rods having ball joints at each end, said stroke plate having a series of oilpassages extending to the adjacentball joints of the connecting rods.

13. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate in a plane transversely to their bores, reciprocating pistons in the cylinders, a cylinder carrier supporting said cylinders and having a flange extending beyond the cylinders, a stroke plate mounted to rotate in various positions angularly to the line of travel of -said pistons, said stroke plate having a convex face concentric with the axis of rotal tion and adjustment of said stroke plate,

exhaust of gas disc of the connecting rods, said stroke plate havlng an annular under| cut oil retainlng groove with which said oil passages communicate.

14. A rotary machine com rising a c' 1- inder carrier, cylinders forme thereon with air spaces in the cylinder carrier between the cylinders, reciprocating pistons in the cylinders, a stroke plate mounted to rotate angularly to the plane of rotation of the cyhnders and connected with the respective pistons, a stationary shell surrounding said cylinders and havin an opening for the arged from the cylinders.

l5. A rotary machine comprising a cylinder carrier, cylinders formed thereon with air spaces in the cylinder carrier between the cylinders, reciprocating pistons in the cylinders, a stroke plate mounted to rotate angularly to the ,plane of rotation of the cylinders and connected with the respective pistons, a stationary shell surrounding said cylinders and having an o ening for the exhaust of gas discharged trom the cylinders, a rear plate in which the rear end of said shell is mounted, said rear plate having central air inlets, and a tube secured to said plate inside said shell for conducting air against the heads of the cylinders.

16. A rotary machine comprising a cylinder carrier, cylinders formed thereon with air spaces in the cylinder carrier between the cylinders, reciprocating pistons lin the cylinders, a stroke plate mount/ed to rotate angularly to the plane of rotation of the cylinders and connected with the respective pistons, a stationary shell surrounding said cylinders and having an opening for the exhaust of gas discharged from the cylinders, a rear plate in which the rear end of said shell is mounted, said rear plate havin central air inlets, a tube secured to sai plate inside said shell for conducting air against the heads of the cylinders, and a tube extending rearwardly from said cylinder carrier for conductin air to the central space between said cy inders.

17. A rotary machine comprising a lurality of cylinders mounted to rotate b ily transversely to their bores,reciprocating pistons in the cylinders, a rotating element connected with the pistons and rotating in a plane at an angle to the lane of rotation of the cylinders, means or adjusting the plane of rotation of said element, ymeans for conductingfuel to said cylinders, valves for controlling said fuel inlets, valves for controlling the exhaust of gas 'from the cylinders, a lever on each cylinder for operating the associated valves, a cam for operating said levers, and means for driving said cam at a different speed from that of the cylinders.

18. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate bodily transversely to their bores, reciprocating pistons in the cylinders, a rotating element connected with the pistons and rotating in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation of the cylinders, means for adjusting the plane of rotation of said element, a cylinder carrier supporting said cylinders, a shaft supporting the cylinder carrier and having an annular gas chamber, passages extending from said as chamber to said cylinders, valve rotating mechanism` rotating with the cylinders for controlling the inlet of fuel and exhaust from said cylinders, and a cam operated at a different speed than the shaft for operating the valve mechanism as the latter travels around the cam.

19. A rotary machine comprising a plu a plane at an angle to the planev of rotation of the cylinders, means for adjusting the plane of rotation of said element, a cylinder carrier supporting said cylinders, a shaft l supporting the cylinder carrier and having an annular gas chamber, passages extending from said gas chamber to said cylinders, levers pivoted 011 the respective cyli11dersa sleeve on said shaft, a cam on said sleeve adapted to actuate said levers, and means for driving said cam at a different speed from said shaft.

20. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate bodily transversely to their bores, reciprocating pistons in thel cylinders, a rotating element connected with the pistons and rotating in a plane at an angleto the plane of rotation of the cylinders, means for adjusting the planeof rotation of said element, a cyllnder carrier supporting said cylinders, a shaft supporting the cylinder carrier and having an annular gas chamber, passages extending from said -gas chamber to said cylinders, levers pivoted on the respective cyhnders, a sleeve on said shaft, and a cam on said sleeve ada ted to actuate said levers, a pinion on sai sleeve, an idle gear meshing with y said pinion, a second gear fastened to said idle gear, said second gear meshing with a second pinion, said second'pinion being secured to sald shaft, said gears belng so proportioned that the sleeve and cam are driven at a different speed from said shaft.

21. A rotary machine comprising a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate bodily transversely to their bores, reciprocating pistons in t-he cylinders, a rotating element connected with the pistons and rotating in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation of the cylinders, means for adjustin plane of rotation ofsaid element, a cyllnder carrier supporting said cylinders, ashaftsupporting the cylinder carrier and having an annular gas chamber, passages extendingfrom said gas chamber to said cylinders, and valve mechanism for controlling the inlet of fuel and exhaust from said cylinders, said shaft having a central oil passage which passes through said gas plassage but does not communicate therewit said oil passage having branches extending to the respective cylinders.

22. A rotatlng machine comprising a cylinder carrier, cylinders formed thereon with air spaces in the cylinder carrier between the cylinders, reciprocating pistons in the the cylinders, a stroke plate mounted to rotate angularly to -the plane of rotation of the cylinders and connected with the respective pistons, a stationary shell surrounding said cylinders and having an o ening for the exhaust of gas discharged rom the cylin-V ders, a rear plate in which the rear end of said shell is mounted, said rear plate having central air inlets, a tube secured to said plate inside said shell for conducting air against the heads of the cylinders, a tube extendin rearwardly from said cylinder carrier or conducting air to the central space between said cylinders, and a partition secured to the cylinders and rotating therewith, said partition extending nearly to the 

